Join Pete Pardo for a tribute to the late Uriah Heep/The Gods/Blackfoot/WASP/Toe Fat legend Ken Hensley, who died on November 4th at the age of 75. #kenhensley
He lived a few miles from me here in Spain, so I met him and had the chance to talk to him. Nice guy and one of the best musicians in rock history. RIP.
This is a shocker.. Met the man in 2009 when the band I played in opened for his band.. Such a nice man.. Rest in peace mr Hensley, you’re a legend forever!
again one of my musical heroes died...it hurts so much ....jon lord, ken Hensley, lee kerslake, cozy Powell, Gary moore, eddy Van Halen, r.j.dio, Freddy mercury, Keith Emerson, greg lake, jimmy Bain, Neil peart, Jon hiseman, Chris squire, Paul chapman, Pete way, ray gillen, Geoff Nicholls, John mayhew, Dave holland, John Bonham, ted mc Kenna, ...the list seems to be endless...it`s like destroying my youth...they are all a big and important part of my (not only musical) life! the best music is the music from the 70`s ...I will love your music forever: deep purple, Black Sabbath, uriah heep, ufo, yes, e,l and p, genesis, rush, rainbow, whitesnake, Van Halen, Gary Moore, Judas priest, Led Zeppelin, Michael Schenker, ...you all changed my life...
Another great keyboardist that leaves us ... RIP Ray Manzarek, Jon Lord and Keith Emerson. Now RIP Ken Hensley. They will live forever in the wonderful music they gave us. They all created their own sound. The greatest!
I bought the Magician's Birthday album on the black market as a teenager back in Russia in 1975 and was hooked right away. I saw them in Detroit for the first time and then after , every chance I got. Unfortunately, i never got to see them live with Ken. Hensley is such a prolific genius composer and keyboardist with such a wide range of melodic creations ! I truly think that URIAH HEEP is the most underrated classic rock band in the world. Thank you, mr. Pardo for such a great tribute , as always. Keep on Rocking , Mick Box ! R.I.P. , The Great Ken Hensley " The Magician" and " The Wizard " ...And the million silver stars will guide YOU with their light...
RIP Ken Hensley one of the founder members of a great band and there at the birth of what became hard rock and heavy metal and in his time in the band, he wrote most of the songs. A nice impromptu tribute, Pete and clearly very heartfelt and therefore moving and tasteful.
Yet another huge loss in the world of classic rock. “Look At Yourself “ was my personal favourite album, my best friend’s sister played it to me when I was ten years old and that was it, from then on I was a rock fan and still am at the grand old age of 58. Rest in peace Ken, your amazing musical legacy lives on.
I knew Ken while he lived in SAINT Louis MO. He operated a rehearsal studio in Maryland Heights MO. This was while he worked for/with SLM here. Ken was a nice man. Ken walked in on us while we were rehearsing in one of the studios during the middle of a song and when we finished, he was smiling and clapping loudly. He said, " That was very good but I didn't recognize the song." We told him that it was an original and that's all we do, our own songs. Ken paused for a few seconds.... Then he said, "Well from now on you guys are half price!" Later on our time was free. All I had to do was clean up and schedule and let in the bands. Ken would call me from all over the world to make sure everything was going OK at the studio. A funny kind talented man. He will be missed.
It's so sad how many great musicians we have lost from the 70's in such a short period of time . Thank goodness they were hear to give us some of the best music ever to enjoy over and over again . God bless them all . RIP Ken Hensley
I just lost an extremely dear personal friend to me this morning, and now at 7:30 EST am first finding-out about Ken Hensley. I knew him from both Uriah Heep and Blackfoot, and I knew him as a great keyboardist and lyricist, I did not know that he was a great singer as well as a guitarist. I love all the early Heep classics as as well as his contributions to "Teenage Idol," "Living In The Limelight," and especially "Morning Dew." And he's passed so soon after Lee Kerslake. Crazy. But you gotta admit, 75 and 73, respectively, are very old ages for rockers to live to, and so we really can't complain too much about it. They lived long, prosperous, productive lives in which they made lasting contributions to the world in doing what they loved best. Peace-Out and Rock-On. 😎🤘🏻
RIP Ken Hensley. Great songwriter and musician. Remember first seeing him around '73. Cannot believe all UH lineup from that year apart from Mick Box have passed. All very sad.
Always remember High Priestess live back in the day, Ken on slide guitar and Mick Box tearing it up on stage, twin guitar heaven, a real high spot in their live shows. Another sad loss.
His mighty keyboard layers were really groundbreaking and sooooo infectious🤘🤘. Drags me to crank it up, anytime. May your Leslie roar in heaven, Ken. R.I.P.
So sad, I've been listening to Uriah Heep a lot the past 4 months like everyday and it's a great journey during this pandemic and today I was singing Look at Yourself just before when I read the news, R.I.P Legend 😔
I've been a Heep fan from the very beginning as well. I didn't expect this sad news, just found out about it 10 minutes ago. Wow this truly sucks. Mick Box must be devastated right now
This one has hit me real hard. Ken Hensley was an an amazing multi-instrumentalist and songwriter and added not only tons of seriously heavy Hammond but some searing slide to many a Heep classic. Really sad to know he has left the world.
Aww I’m so sad about this!! I met him once in 1980 chatted with him about leaving Heep he was very pleasant and happy to chat Like I’ve said before on RUclips in my opinion one of the top English songwriters in the history of pop/rock RIP a legend
R.I.P Ken. My fondest memory of you, is seeing Uriah Heep headline the Friday night at 1977s Reading Rock Festival. It pissed down that evening (typical British summer time weather!) but you guys really rocked the audience that night through the driving rain. At the end of their first encore the crowd went mental calling them back on stage. DJ for the event' John Peel, asked the crowd several times "Do you want the band back, do you really want the band back?". The crowd went apeshite roaring their approval. Peelie then decides to wind the crowd up by playing The sex Pistols "Anarchy in the UK". The crowd went mental (remembering that back in those days there was a huge divide between old school rockers and the new school punk). John's DJ booth was pelted with all kinds of stuff, plastic bottles full of piss, coins, cans full of half drunk beer. Being right down the front a full pint glass bottle of milk (remember those folks when we had them delivered in pint bottles?) went whizzing pass my head with the contents of said milk landing on me. Happy days! Pete enjoy your weekend of listening to Hensley and Heep, and reminiscing too. It will help soothe the soul. I know it did me when i first heard the news of Andy Fraser's sad passing
@@shaynewest8757 No Showsec security w@nkers in those days or heavy handed policing of festivals. You could basically take what you wanted into the main arena
I have wonderful memories of seeing Ken and the boys from Heep at the drafty old Liverpool Boxing Stadium on the Look at Yourself and Demons tours in the early 70,s. Even after nearly 50 years I can close my eyes and see him hunched over the Hammond freaking out to Look at Yourself, that amazing hair flying all over the place. By coincidence his Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf solo album was re-released on limited coloured vinyl a few weeks ago and my copy arrived on Tuesday. I am playing it right now, what a great songwriter he was. RIP Ken and thank you for some of the best moments of my life. 2020 F##k You.
Thanks for this post--relatively few of us folks in the USA knew his work outside of Uriah Heep's big hits here, but this is a big loss for those of us who continued to follow him and his musical works. His popularity continued in Europe and Russia--I had actually hoped to hear him play and use his concert as an excuse to visit where he played. RIP Ken--you leave behind a legion of fans around the world. And now that I know about you, Pete, I will watch for your Robin Trower video--seems like we have exactly the same tastes in rock and roll!
Thought of you when I saw the headline on social media, Pete. You influenced me to finally get into Uriah Heap over quarantine I know that your connection to them will always be of the highest level of purity even without meeting Ken Hensley himself. He reached the musical ethos in this lifetime and we’re all better for it. Thanks again, Pete.
It's great that you pay respect to many artists who may be largely forgotten or unknown to many people. That's why your channel matters. It's educational and respectful. R.I.P Ken Hensley
SUCH A SAD DAY. A LEGEND HAS LEFT US. WHAT A TALENTED MAN THIS WAS. I MET HIM IN A HOTEL BEFORE A SHOW IN THE 70'S. SUCH A HUMBLE AND KIND MAN. REST IN PEACE, KEN. SEEING URIAH HEEP IN CONCERT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. I STILL HAVE MICKS GUITAR PICK FROM THAT SHOW. IT IS TO THIS DAY, ONE OF MY PRIZED POSSESSIONS. URIAH HEEP LIVE FOREVER. LOVE YOU, KEN. 🔥🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🔥
Truly awful news to come home to... Thanks for the kind words and praise. Ken was a huge talent and will be sorely missed. As a young guy in 1987, freshly moved to Hollywood from Albany NY, I had the good fortune of meeting Ken at a music business seminar. He was one of the first of my heroes that I was able to meet and the only one in which I was completely starstruck! A few years later, at my urging, my keyboardist contacted Ken as he was going to be in St. Louis where Ken was living. Ken invited him over for tea and a lengthy Q and A on all things Hammond and Leslies . By all accounts Ken was a gracious host and suffered my band mate's questions with good humor. Rest assured, upon returning to LA we applied Ken's tips to our band's B-3 with great results! Total class act. Time to break out "Proud Words..." and "Salisbury" and maybe have a wee cry...
Uriah Heep is a legendary band! I got into them back in the mid 90's after listening to Gamma Ray's version of Look At Yourself from their Heading For Tomorrow album and loved it big time. Ken wrote many amazing songs for Uriah Heep. He was an incredible songwriter and musician. First we lost Lee Kerslake earlier this year, and now Ken Hensley. 2020 has not been kind for Legendary musicians. Rest In Peace Ken Hensley!!
2020 just won't let up! Best sounding Hammond organ ive ever heard. Was there at moody colisium in 75 when gary thain was electrocuted. Hensley was also a great singer, songwriter and guitar player. Played a mean slide guitar. R.I.P. Ken, Gary, lee, and David.
Uriah Heep was the first band I ever heard live they opened for Kiss in 1976 my first show Was scared to death when lights came down didnt know how loud it was gonna be but a few chords in I was a headbanging 12 yr old RIP
RIP Ken. The keys on "Gypsy" alone make the man a legend. And besides the masterful years with Uriah Heep, don't forget his stellar contributions to Siogo, The Headless Children and Heartbreak Station.
Oh Sh*t what a real bummer. As I get older my musical heroes are all now passing - was fortunate to see him in Rotherham back in April 2002 right up close, superb show. Yet again more tears in my eyes - will blast that one out along with Heep's entire 70's catalogue to remember him, Lee, David and Gary and those wonderful Hensley/Wetton albums to remmebr both him and John. Damn.
It’s always a sad day when you lose one of the members of one of your favorite bands. When I think of the band members of Uriah Heep, Ken Hensley is always at the top of my list. I had forgotten that he worked with that many different bands. Uriah Heep never got the recognition they deserved. Classic rock stations will occasionally play one or two songs and that doesn’t cut it. RIP Ken.
I was fortunate to meet Ken in 73 in Milwaukee.He autographed his 1st solo album for me,bought my wife and myself a drink,gave us a backstage pass.A truely nice man.Funny story when we were having a drink with him and just discussing his songs there was a guy from Mercury records who had a patch over one eye,Ken whispered to me that the guy thought he wrote blind eye about him.
True great loss..R.I.P Ken Hensley (Uriah Heep, Blackfoot, The Gods etc) Awesome songwriter/keyboardist/Guitarist/singer and wrote some Uriah Heep's greatest songs ever.
The keyboards on Blackfoot's Send Me An Angel still blow me away. He leaves a huge musical footprint and we should be happy for that. He was basically the hard rock version of Alan Parsons.
Ken Hensley - such a talented musician, songwriter and a genuine guy. No new material from now on but you have left us all so much great music to enjoy. Ken - enjoy your Last Dance .
What a legend. One of the greatest hard rock songwriters there's ever been in my book. I've often felt that all the legendary fantasy metal acts people love might never have existed without Uriah Heep. 'Easy Livin' was always a special song to me, it had the soul of a heartfelt gospel song, with the pounding pace of heavy metal. At least that's how it struck me. Godspeed.
A Titan has fallen. There are few artist who gave voice to the way we feel like Ken Hensley. He should be celebrated for what he lived for, not mourned for what we have lost.
I have owned "Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf" in every format from 8 track to CD and actually met him in Colorado at his house in 82, he rented gear from Colfax Music and Terry the owner found out I was a huge fan and took me by. He had his B3 in the living room, his gold record for "Magicians Birthday" converted into a wall clock and was down on his luck, tried to sell me his gold top Les Paul, the one on the back of the "Free Spirit" album. Wonderful afternoon with a hero, told me as long as he had his hands and his wits he would be OK. I told him "Echoes in the Dark" saved my life, the line about "the day of darkness comes to every man". He said "yeah, Im pretty good at writing that moody BS aint I". RIP to a great song writer, keyboard player and one mean slide player!
Wow.... 2020 has been such an awful year in so many ways.... the loss of all these musical legends just makes it worse. My sympathies to you, Pete. I know your love of all things HEEP. I got into UH through your channel and will spin a bunch of their music today. RIP Ken🎶❤️🍺🤘
Wow! What a punch to the but. I certainly wasn't expecting this so close to lee's departure. My discovery of Uriah heep in 1970 was indescribable. I believe it changed my life and the way I listened to music. The beautiful harmonies between Ken and the rest of the band. His writing was amazing. The two solo albums of his that I have that are SO underrated. I can go on and on. His legacy will hopefully last forever. So many great musical memories. RIP Ken! You will never be forgotten!!!
I just started listening to the uriah heep 50 years in rock collection just got the news gutted one of my top 10 bands for sure and Ken is a top 5 keyboardist for sure
The most prolific writer of songs of all times. The true “monster of HAMMOND” togheter with John Lord. the most prolific. I love this musician, “born again”. Welcome back Home brother Ken.
So bummed about this! Ken was one of my favorite musicians. He was so prolific! Look at Yourself was the first album I ever bought with my own money. RIP Ken. I know you're in a far better place now.
Nice tribute Pete, thanks. Love Uriah Heep, was just waiting on the album 'Rare and Timeless' to arrive by Ken. I'm very saddened by the news. RIP Mr Hensley.
Great tribute. I remember first hearing Uriah Heep and it change everything for me. Before that, it was thinner guitars, little hamond organ and very little high harmonies. RIP KEN.
Great tribute pete ... Yes , i was gutted also . what an inspiratin & talent . i was just listening to a hensley/lawton album called "the return" live . recorded in 2001 , the night before i heard . what a devastating loss . ...r.i.p. Mr. Hensley .
i didn't hear the news till i saw your video thumbnail....great tribute pete...and last night i was just listening to 'salisbury'...i'm still wearing my uriah heep shirt from last nite...had no idea...all the great ones are going or gone...thank god we still have the music...peace always to you and ken hensley's family and friends...rocky
Too many amazing guys going. Brilliant all round talent. I remember buying Siogo by Blackfoot and being blown away by Ken’s blazing, explosive organ solo on “We’re Goin’ Down”.
Thanks Pete for this thought provoking and heart wrenching tribute to Ken Hensley. His intregal keyboard influence broadened the spectrum in my mind on how much more rock could be with the addition of a progressive keyboard master within the band mix. I saw them on their 1972 tour and that album was the first one I purchased and I played it to death. RIP Ken, you will be remembered for a very long time.😪
Just got the 50 years in rock box set yesterday. I will be playing Ken’s CD of his favorite Uriah Heep songs tonight when I get home. All the classic rockers from the1970’s are getting older and may not of made the best lifestyle choices back in the day, but it is still a shock.
I was lucky to meet Ken at Gatwick airport back in the 1980s, and such a nice guy to talk to and larger than life but at the same time so down to earth and a true professional and respected musician. A great loss indeed.
For me, Ken was the heart and soul of Uriah Heep--particularly during the Byron era. R.I.P. Mr. Hensley
Facts😎
He lived a few miles from me here in Spain, so I met him and had the chance to talk to him. Nice guy and one of the best musicians in rock history. RIP.
Do you think it was Covid?
@@5309backbeat His brother Trevor cancelled speculations by saying it was not definitely. I also think it was not.
Jealous. Must have been awesome.
You had the chance to meet him wandering... (Wizzard)
@@danpojoga6265 I had, indeed! :-) Wizard, just one z.
We lost a true master today in music! Rest in peace Ken Hensley!
RIP Ken. Great writer, vocalist and musician. You will be missed.
Rip
Totally agree.
They should be in the rock and roll hall of fame. Only Mick Box is left.
I think Paul Newton is still alive, from the first 3 albums.
John Lawton is still alive.
From the classic line up (Hensley, Kerslake, Byron, Thain, Box) only Box is alive...
@WJB Motown What is certain is that these five released the best albums of the band!
This is a shocker.. Met the man in 2009 when the band I played in opened for his band.. Such a nice man.. Rest in peace mr Hensley, you’re a legend forever!
again one of my musical heroes died...it hurts so much ....jon lord, ken Hensley, lee kerslake, cozy Powell, Gary moore, eddy Van Halen, r.j.dio, Freddy mercury, Keith Emerson, greg lake, jimmy Bain, Neil peart, Jon hiseman, Chris squire, Paul chapman, Pete way, ray gillen, Geoff Nicholls, John mayhew, Dave holland, John Bonham, ted mc Kenna, ...the list seems to be endless...it`s like destroying my youth...they are all a big and important part of my (not only musical) life! the best music is the music from the 70`s ...I will love your music forever: deep purple, Black Sabbath, uriah heep, ufo, yes, e,l and p, genesis, rush, rainbow, whitesnake, Van Halen, Gary Moore, Judas priest, Led Zeppelin, Michael Schenker, ...you all changed my life...
Rory Gallagher
Gregg Allman
Same feeling here...
You forgot Keith Richards. RIP
Thank you very much for your love to music, Pete. Your tributes to our favorite musicians are really soulful and touching. Thank you.
RIP. Great loss. Heep was also one of my favorites, and largely because of his songwriting, as well as his musicianship and vocals.
Another great keyboardist that leaves us ... RIP Ray Manzarek, Jon Lord and Keith Emerson. Now RIP Ken Hensley. They will live forever in the wonderful music they gave us. They all created their own sound. The greatest!
R.I.P Ken, you will be missed and never replaced. That organ sound alone made him a legend, not to mention his guitar playing and song writing.
I bought the Magician's Birthday album on the black market as a teenager back in Russia in 1975 and was hooked right away. I saw them in Detroit for the first time and then after , every chance I got. Unfortunately, i never got to see them live with Ken. Hensley is such a prolific genius composer and keyboardist with such a wide range of melodic creations ! I truly think that URIAH HEEP is the most underrated classic rock band in the world.
Thank you, mr. Pardo for such a great tribute , as always. Keep on Rocking , Mick Box ! R.I.P. , The Great Ken Hensley " The Magician" and " The Wizard " ...And the million silver stars will guide YOU with their light...
Did you see them at harpos ? Saw them at cobo return to fantasy tour.
@@leethomas5830 At great ole" Harpos
RIP Ken Hensley one of the founder members of a great band and there at the birth of what became hard rock and heavy metal and in his time in the band, he wrote most of the songs. A nice impromptu tribute, Pete and clearly very heartfelt and therefore moving and tasteful.
Ken Hensley RIP, I was only seventeen when i fell in love with a Gypsy Queen.
What a tune, that organ riff blows yer mind.
Peace
Andy H
Astonishing talent and, especially during his 1970s heyday, probably the most prolific songwriter of his generation.
Yet another huge loss in the world of classic rock. “Look At Yourself “ was my personal favourite album, my best friend’s sister played it to me when I was ten years old and that was it, from then on I was a rock fan and still am at the grand old age of 58. Rest in peace Ken, your amazing musical legacy lives on.
I knew Ken while he lived in SAINT Louis MO. He operated a rehearsal studio in Maryland Heights MO. This was while he worked for/with SLM here. Ken was a nice man. Ken walked in on us while we were rehearsing in one of the studios during the middle of a song and when we finished, he was smiling and clapping loudly. He said, " That was very good but I didn't recognize the song." We told him that it was an original and that's all we do, our own songs. Ken paused for a few seconds.... Then he said, "Well from now on you guys are half price!" Later on our time was free. All I had to do was clean up and schedule and let in the bands. Ken would call me from all over the world to make sure everything was going OK at the studio. A funny kind talented man. He will be missed.
It's so sad how many great musicians we have lost from the 70's in such a short period of time . Thank goodness they were hear to give us some of the best music ever to enjoy over and over again . God bless them all . RIP Ken Hensley
Thanks for that Pete. I don't know how you kept it together. First band i ever saw live in '71. Ken Hensley was and is a Legend. RIP
It wasn't easy...
One of a kind R.I.P. Ken Hensley. The music never dies!😞
One of the greatest composers of all time... The world is sadder today
Terrible news. Without a doubt one of the greatest keyboard players of all time. Shall be listening to Uriah Heep, Blackfoot and WASP in his memory.
Jon lord up there also lee Michaels on hammon very tasty
I just lost an extremely dear personal friend to me this morning, and now at 7:30 EST am first finding-out about Ken Hensley. I knew him from both Uriah Heep and Blackfoot, and I knew him as a great keyboardist and lyricist, I did not know that he was a great singer as well as a guitarist. I love all the early Heep classics as as well as his contributions to "Teenage Idol," "Living In The Limelight," and especially "Morning Dew." And he's passed so soon after Lee Kerslake. Crazy. But you gotta admit, 75 and 73, respectively, are very old ages for rockers to live to, and so we really can't complain too much about it. They lived long, prosperous, productive lives in which they made lasting contributions to the world in doing what they loved best. Peace-Out and Rock-On. 😎🤘🏻
RIP Ken Hensley. Great songwriter and musician. Remember first seeing him around '73. Cannot believe all UH lineup from that year apart from Mick Box have passed. All very sad.
Saw them at cobo hall in Detroit return to fantasize tour. Going to crank up some heep
RIP Ken Hensley
Just listening to Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf. What a great album
"Brown-eyed boy play me a rock 'n roll tune..."
@Peter Hansen Do you like "Cold Autumn Sunday"?
@@MrMrfreedom1 I didn’t know it, but have just been listening to it on Spotify. Quite good album that I will listen to again
@@peterhansen1358 Sounds good. Thanks for the reply.
I know this was tough for you, knowing the band as you do, but you did a nice job. RIP Ken Hensley, you will be sorely missed.
Always remember High Priestess live back in the day, Ken on slide guitar and Mick Box tearing it up on stage, twin guitar heaven, a real high spot in their live shows. Another sad loss.
His mighty keyboard layers were really groundbreaking and sooooo infectious🤘🤘. Drags me to crank it up, anytime. May your Leslie roar in heaven, Ken. R.I.P.
So sad, I've been listening to Uriah Heep a lot the past 4 months like everyday and it's a great journey during this pandemic and today I was singing Look at Yourself just before when I read the news, R.I.P Legend 😔
I`m speachless....I hear "July Morning" with tears in my eyes
Me too""July Morning"
@ Franco Fan might I add as "its raining outside."
The loss of Lee Kerslake was for me the saddest of the year so far, and now this...
Lee had had cancer and was sick for quite some time.
One of the best albums I ever bought-Very 'Eavy Very 'Umble!. Great loss!
I just found out 30 minutes ago that he passed away. Uriah Heep have been my favorite band since 1970. I feel like a part of my life has died😢
I've been a Heep fan from the very beginning as well. I didn't expect this sad news, just found out about it 10 minutes ago. Wow this truly sucks. Mick Box must be devastated right now
@@rickleblanc8900 ...that's the two of us...
This one has hit me real hard. Ken Hensley was an an amazing multi-instrumentalist and songwriter and added not only tons of seriously heavy Hammond but some searing slide to many a Heep classic. Really sad to know he has left the world.
Aww I’m so sad about this!!
I met him once in 1980 chatted with him about leaving Heep he was very pleasant and happy to chat
Like I’ve said before on RUclips in my opinion one of the top English songwriters in the history of pop/rock RIP a legend
Definitely one of top songwriters
Lyrics he wrote for the song Wonderworld is amazing
Perfect songwriter , genius
R.I.P Ken. My fondest memory of you, is seeing Uriah Heep headline the Friday night at 1977s Reading Rock Festival. It pissed down that evening (typical British summer time weather!) but you guys really rocked the audience that night through the driving rain. At the end of their first encore the crowd went mental calling them back on stage. DJ for the event' John Peel, asked the crowd several times "Do you want the band back, do you really want the band back?". The crowd went apeshite roaring their approval. Peelie then decides to wind the crowd up by playing The sex Pistols "Anarchy in the UK". The crowd went mental (remembering that back in those days there was a huge divide between old school rockers and the new school punk). John's DJ booth was pelted with all kinds of stuff, plastic bottles full of piss, coins, cans full of half drunk beer. Being right down the front a full pint glass bottle of milk (remember those folks when we had them delivered in pint bottles?) went whizzing pass my head with the contents of said milk landing on me. Happy days! Pete enjoy your weekend of listening to Hensley and Heep, and reminiscing too. It will help soothe the soul. I know it did me when i first heard the news of Andy Fraser's sad passing
Brilliant post that. Thanks for your memories.
Fantastic story! Thank you so much!
@@shaynewest8757 No Showsec security w@nkers in those days or heavy handed policing of festivals. You could basically take what you wanted into the main arena
Oh man! RIP... One of my all time favs too!
It's nice Pete that you always find some time to pay tribute to such true rock legends like Hensley.
Great video, Pete. Sad news. Lady In Black was one of the first songs I learned on guitar. Always loved Uriah Heep. Greetings from Germany, Mark
I have wonderful memories of seeing Ken and the boys from Heep at the drafty old Liverpool Boxing Stadium on the Look at Yourself and Demons tours in the early 70,s.
Even after nearly 50 years I can close my eyes and see him hunched over the Hammond freaking out to Look at Yourself, that amazing hair flying all over the place.
By coincidence his Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf solo album was re-released on limited coloured vinyl a few weeks ago and my copy arrived on Tuesday. I am playing it right now, what a great songwriter he was.
RIP Ken and thank you for some of the best moments of my life.
2020 F##k You.
2020 has been brutal for our musical heroes - RIP Ken...and Lee and Eddie and Neil :(
Thanks for this post--relatively few of us folks in the USA knew his work outside of Uriah Heep's big hits here, but this is a big loss for those of us who continued to follow him and his musical works. His popularity continued in Europe and Russia--I had actually hoped to hear him play and use his concert as an excuse to visit where he played. RIP Ken--you leave behind a legion of fans around the world. And now that I know about you, Pete, I will watch for your Robin Trower video--seems like we have exactly the same tastes in rock and roll!
Thought of you when I saw the headline on social media, Pete. You influenced me to finally get into Uriah Heap over quarantine I know that your connection to them will always be of the highest level of purity even without meeting Ken Hensley himself. He reached the musical ethos in this lifetime and we’re all better for it.
Thanks again, Pete.
It's great that you pay respect to many artists who may be largely forgotten or unknown to many people. That's why your channel matters. It's educational and respectful.
R.I.P Ken Hensley
SUCH A SAD DAY. A LEGEND HAS LEFT US. WHAT A TALENTED MAN THIS WAS. I MET HIM IN A HOTEL BEFORE A SHOW IN THE 70'S. SUCH A HUMBLE AND KIND MAN. REST IN PEACE, KEN. SEEING URIAH HEEP IN CONCERT WAS AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE. I STILL HAVE MICKS GUITAR PICK FROM THAT SHOW. IT IS TO THIS DAY, ONE OF MY PRIZED POSSESSIONS. URIAH HEEP LIVE FOREVER. LOVE YOU, KEN. 🔥🎹🎹🎹🎹🎹🔥
Truly awful news to come home to... Thanks for the kind words and praise. Ken was a huge talent and will be sorely missed. As a young guy in 1987, freshly moved to Hollywood from Albany NY, I had the good fortune of meeting Ken at a music business seminar. He was one of the first of my heroes that I was able to meet and the only one in which I was completely starstruck! A few years later, at my urging, my keyboardist contacted Ken as he was going to be in St. Louis where Ken was living. Ken invited him over for tea and a lengthy Q and A on all things Hammond and Leslies . By all accounts Ken was a gracious host and suffered my band mate's questions with good humor. Rest assured, upon returning to LA we applied Ken's tips to our band's B-3 with great results! Total class act. Time to break out "Proud Words..." and "Salisbury" and maybe have a wee cry...
Uriah Heep is a legendary band! I got into them back in the mid 90's after listening to Gamma Ray's version of Look At Yourself from their Heading For Tomorrow album and loved it big time. Ken wrote many amazing songs for Uriah Heep. He was an incredible songwriter and musician. First we lost Lee Kerslake earlier this year, and now Ken Hensley. 2020 has not been kind for Legendary musicians. Rest In Peace Ken Hensley!!
2020 just won't let up! Best sounding Hammond organ ive ever heard. Was there at moody colisium in 75 when gary thain was electrocuted. Hensley was also a great singer, songwriter and guitar player. Played a mean slide guitar. R.I.P. Ken, Gary, lee, and David.
Uriah Heep was the first band I ever heard live they opened for Kiss in 1976 my first show Was scared to death when lights came down didnt know how loud it was gonna be but a few chords in I was a headbanging 12 yr old RIP
What a loss, a band that gave me so much joy & inspiration. Beautiful organ, beautiful voice...thank you for making my life more enjoyable.....RIP
R. I. P. Ken Hensley, you were a true magician, and gave us so much, you will live forever through your music. Thank you.
RIP Ken. The keys on "Gypsy" alone make the man a legend.
And besides the masterful years with Uriah Heep, don't forget his stellar contributions to Siogo, The Headless Children and Heartbreak Station.
Oh Sh*t what a real bummer. As I get older my musical heroes are all now passing - was fortunate to see him in Rotherham back in April 2002 right up close, superb show. Yet again more tears in my eyes - will blast that one out along with Heep's entire 70's catalogue to remember him, Lee, David and Gary and those wonderful Hensley/Wetton albums to remmebr both him and John. Damn.
RIP Mr. Hensley. I’m no youngster myself. Everyone we loose hurts just a little bit more. Listened to Uriah Heep all afternoon. 😢
It was great to meet Ken Hensley. I'm so proud to see one of the best keyboard player in rock history 😭😭
It’s always a sad day when you lose one of the members of one of your favorite bands. When I think of the band members of Uriah Heep, Ken Hensley is always at the top of my list. I had forgotten that he worked with that many different bands. Uriah Heep never got the recognition they deserved. Classic rock stations will occasionally play one or two songs and that doesn’t cut it. RIP Ken.
I was fortunate to meet Ken in 73 in Milwaukee.He autographed his 1st solo album for me,bought my wife and myself a drink,gave us a backstage pass.A truely nice man.Funny story when we were having a drink with him and just discussing his songs there was a guy from Mercury records who had a patch over one eye,Ken whispered to me that the guy thought he wrote blind eye about him.
Thanks so much for this emotional tribute! R.I.P. Ken Hensley, my all-time favourite musician
True great loss..R.I.P Ken Hensley
(Uriah Heep, Blackfoot, The Gods etc)
Awesome songwriter/keyboardist/Guitarist/singer and wrote some Uriah Heep's greatest songs ever.
The keyboards on Blackfoot's Send Me An Angel still blow me away. He leaves a huge musical footprint and we should be happy for that. He was basically the hard rock version of Alan Parsons.
i agree on that Blackfoot comment
This year I listened more of Heep than ever before. Thank you, Pete. You re- introduced Heep to me. Ken and David were musical geniuses. R.I.P.
Ken Hensley - such a talented musician, songwriter and a genuine guy. No new material from now on but you have left us all so much great music to enjoy. Ken - enjoy your Last Dance .
What a legend. One of the greatest hard rock songwriters there's ever been in my book. I've often felt that all the legendary fantasy metal acts people love might never have existed without Uriah Heep. 'Easy Livin' was always a special song to me, it had the soul of a heartfelt gospel song, with the pounding pace of heavy metal. At least that's how it struck me. Godspeed.
A lot of great music and memories. RIP Ken Hensley.
Tough loss indeed! We need some time to digest this... ranking his solo albums someday would be a great tribute to watch.
Ken Hensley owned a very particular sound, great composer and singer. Another legend is gone but he won't be forgotten.
A Titan has fallen. There are few artist who gave voice to the way we feel like Ken Hensley. He should be celebrated for what he lived for, not mourned for what we have lost.
Salisbury, my favorite song.
I have owned "Proud Words on a Dusty Shelf" in every format from 8 track to CD and actually met him in Colorado at his house in 82, he rented gear from Colfax Music and Terry the owner found out I was a huge fan and took me by. He had his B3 in the living room, his gold record for "Magicians Birthday" converted into a wall clock and was down on his luck, tried to sell me his gold top Les Paul, the one on the back of the "Free Spirit" album. Wonderful afternoon with a hero, told me as long as he had his hands and his wits he would be OK. I told him "Echoes in the Dark" saved my life, the line about "the day of darkness comes to every man". He said "yeah, Im pretty good at writing that moody BS aint I". RIP to a great song writer, keyboard player and one mean slide player!
Wow....
2020 has been such an awful year in so many ways.... the loss of all these musical legends just makes it worse. My sympathies to you, Pete. I know your love of all things HEEP.
I got into UH through your channel and will spin a bunch of their music today. RIP Ken🎶❤️🍺🤘
Rest In Peace, Ken Hensley. He was the main reason I love Uriah Heep. A very incredibly talented and versatile musician.
Wow! What a punch to the but. I certainly wasn't expecting this so close to lee's departure. My discovery of Uriah heep in 1970 was indescribable. I believe it changed my life and the way I listened to music. The beautiful harmonies between Ken and the rest of the band. His writing was amazing. The two solo albums of his that I have that are SO underrated. I can go on and on. His legacy will hopefully last forever. So many great musical memories. RIP Ken! You will never be forgotten!!!
One of my favorite songwriters. Really good lyrics and storytelling.
saw the Heep in the late 70's , half way thru the keyboards started to smoke and the show was interrupted always remember that
he was my hero since i saw them first in may 1971 in Zürich, Switzerland. He was one of the greatest, thanks for the music ken
Yur spot on pete....this is a HUGE loss, I saw that lineup twice at Winterland back in the early 70s, and man what a show!!!! Absolute LEGEND!!
Total devastation. One of the greatest songwriters and performers.
I just started listening to the uriah heep 50 years in rock collection just got the news gutted one of my top 10 bands for sure and Ken is a top 5 keyboardist for sure
The most prolific writer of songs of all times. The true “monster of HAMMOND” togheter with John Lord. the most prolific. I love this musician, “born again”. Welcome back Home brother Ken.
Indeed
So bummed about this! Ken was one of my favorite musicians. He was so prolific! Look at Yourself was the first album I ever bought with my own money. RIP Ken. I know you're in a far better place now.
Ken Hensey was my favorite songwriter of all time. He did so many masterpieces, with and without Uriah Heep. His songs will be livnig forever.
RIP my friend and musical hero! Got to meet you and Monica in Alicante, 2009. What a great time we had and your music will live forever in my heart!
Nice tribute Pete, thanks. Love Uriah Heep, was just waiting on the album 'Rare and Timeless' to arrive by Ken. I'm very saddened by the news. RIP Mr Hensley.
Jeez, only hours ago I gave Demons and Wizards a spin and now this.RIP Ken and Lee.
Great tribute. I remember first hearing Uriah Heep and it change everything for me. Before that, it was thinner guitars, little hamond organ and very little high harmonies. RIP KEN.
Another great gone. Such a talented artist! You will be missed. R.I.P. Ken.
Very very upset to hear about Ken I love keyboard player’s and we are losing so many musicians thanks Pete for letting us know RIP
Great tribute pete ... Yes , i was gutted also . what an inspiratin & talent . i was just listening to a hensley/lawton album called "the return" live . recorded in 2001 , the night before i heard . what a devastating loss . ...r.i.p. Mr. Hensley .
i didn't hear the news till i saw your video thumbnail....great tribute pete...and last night i was just listening to 'salisbury'...i'm still wearing my uriah heep shirt from last nite...had no idea...all the great ones are going or gone...thank god we still have the music...peace always to you and ken hensley's family and friends...rocky
God, we keep losing so many freaken phenomenal talented musicians it’s UNREAL Pete 😩😢😤
Too many amazing guys going. Brilliant all round talent. I remember buying Siogo by Blackfoot and being blown away by Ken’s blazing, explosive organ solo on “We’re Goin’ Down”.
Thanks Pete for this thought provoking and heart wrenching tribute to Ken Hensley. His intregal keyboard influence broadened the spectrum in my mind on how much more rock could be with the addition of a progressive keyboard master within the band mix. I saw them on their 1972 tour and that album was the first one I purchased and I played it to death. RIP Ken, you will be remembered for a very long time.😪
Just got the 50 years in rock box set yesterday. I will be playing Ken’s CD of his favorite Uriah Heep songs tonight when I get home. All the classic rockers from the1970’s are getting older and may not of made the best lifestyle choices back in the day, but it is still a shock.
I've played July Morning all night! The organ is out of this world Ken..💔Hope you are resting now!
I’m really sorry for your loss Pete. Your community is here for you 🤘🏻
A great talent, Voice, Keyboards and Writer !!!!
Very Sad, Time is catching us all !
Hensley was a unique talent. Heep was my favorite group as a kid and still is to this day.
RIP KEN HENSLEY. What an incredible musician.🔥🔥❤
Thank you Pete for doing this tribute. I'm so gutted to think that we loss Ken Hensley, a hero may he rest in peace.
I was lucky to meet Ken at Gatwick airport back in the 1980s, and such a nice guy to talk to and larger than life but at the same time so down to earth and a true professional and respected musician. A great loss indeed.